Electric-railway system



(No Modelf) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

R. M. HUNTER. ELECTRIC vRAILWAY SYSTEM.

No. 523,313. Patented July 17, 1894.v

WHNESSESI \NYENTOR:

ru: Nonms PETERS co, FHnmumo. wAsmNsToN. n4 c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER. ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

No. 523,313. Patented July 17, 1894.

FIG. 8

Wl'rNsssEs `PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SYSTEM..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 523,313, dated July 17, 1894.

Original application tiled April 28, 1886, Serial No. 200,400. Divided and this application filed March 14,1889. Serial No.

` 303.197. (No man.)

To all whom it may concern;

`Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvementin Electric Railways, (Case No. 87,)

of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric raily ways; and consists in certain improvements all of which are fully set forth in the following 1o specification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form part thereof.

This application, Case No. 87, is a division of my application, Serial No. 200,400, tiled April 28, 1886.

My invention contemplates certain improvements in combined railway and lighting circuits and in which the conductors or circuits of an electric railway are combined with electriclights,eitherarc orincandescent,arranged zo in series or multiple arc or both, in the working conductors or in the return circuit. These lights may also have a special regulator or cut out device to insure or preserve the continuity of the working current for the motors. 2 5 When a large number of lights are arranged in a circuit derived from the motor circuit, a separate regulator to vary the resistance in the derived circuit may be used, whereby the number of lamps in circuit may be varied 3o without changing the electrical condition of the main or working conductors or circuits. The lamps may receive current from the supply or main conductors, or the working conductors when such working conductors re- 3 5 ceive current from separate supply conductors, and such lamps would be in multiple arc connection or in parallel and -might be ou the cars when receiving their current from the working conductors. In this latter case the 4o lights on the various cars would be arranged in parallel relatively to each other, and would while maintaining that connection shift their position on the railway. c

My invention also contemplates providing an electric railway circuit with a short circuiting device controlled by the currentin the working conductors whereby when all of the cars have 'run off the line the generator is short circuited cutting out the line by the clos- 5c ing of an automatic switch. This shunt or short circuit may have a resistance equal to the working conductors so as not to reduce the external resistance too much. lf desired of the line due to running cars on and off the line circuit. This resistance changer maybe operated by an electro magnet in ashunt cu:- cuit across the poles of the generator or 1t may be operated by a magnet in a shunt around the resistance in one conductor, or 1t may be operated on a differential principle by both of said magnets each of which acts upon the same switch lever. Also providing an electric railway with a generator havlng brushes and commutator electrically movable with reference to each other such as Set forth in Letters Patent No. 347,937, granted August 24, 1886, on my application serially numbered 171,625 and filed July 14, 1885, whereby the generation of currentis in accordance with the requirements. The commutator is made with oblique contact pieces and is moved under the brushes or the brushes moved over the commutator by a helix or otherwise directly or indirectly, said helix being either in direct or shunt circuit.

The foregoing are the general features of my invention and may be better understood by a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2, and 3 are diagrams showing the combination of the regulating devices for the electric railway conductors. Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are similar views showing the arrangement of the electric light circuits combined with the railway circuits. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the circuits on the car.

A and B are the two working conductors and may be made continuous or in sections. If continuous they may have the same ends connected to the poles of the generator as 1n Fig. 5, or opposite ends as shown in Fig. 1, this latter construction being the most preferable, as then the line resistance to the motors is the same for all positions on the line, and is equally divided between all motors on the line irrespective of their number. This is shown in my Latent No. 381,555 of 1888.

IOO

In place of connecting the workin g conductors directly with the generator they may be made in sections and connected by branch wires A2 B2 with conductors A B', and these conductors may be connected at opposite ends with the generator to insure equality of resistance in the working circuit as shown in Fig. 2. Or these two arrangements may be combined as shown in Fig. 3 in which one working conductor is continuous and the othersectional. When connected at opposite ends a return conductor C is used which may be buried or suspended on poles and preferably insulated.

The quantity of current generated to suit great differences in the number ot' motors on the line, is regulated directly at the generator D-by an electro magnet d either in shunt a or direct line circuit which shifts the relative positions et' the brushes and commutater ot the generator substantially as shown in Figs. l, and 2 and set out in Letters Patent No. 343,937, granted to me August 24., 1886. To regulate the line current to suit small variations in the number oi` motors or other electrical variations which it is not desirable to depend upon the motors to control,I provide a variable resistance c in circuit C which may be part of the line, and by means of a contact lever c more or less resistance may be inserted or removed to vary the current in the line. This lever c may be operated by a helix b in a shunt circuit b2 around the generator as shown in Fig. 3, or by such a helix combined with another b opposing it and arranged in a shunt or derived circuit Z13 in the line as shown in Fig. l. In the construction shown in Fig. l the helix Z) is of low resistance compared with b', as at times much of the entire line current passes through it and resistance c. The magnet h must be of high resistance to prevent the line current being shunted or short circuited. lt will be noticed here that when helix b is used there are two paths open for the outgoing current and either one may be considered the line. the helices b Z2 work on a differential principle, the helix b taking the place oi' the spring S shown in Fig. 3.

When all of the cars run off the circuit the line is then open and the helix h being unt 'aversed by a current, the-armature orlever c either falls or is drawn down by helix b' (it used) and short circuits the generator by contact c2, and if desired through a resistance C2 equal say at least to one motor or to the resistance of the working conductors and their connection. By this means the generator may be constantly run without danger to itself or to the helices d b and is always ready to throw the proper current on theline automatically upon a motor being put upon circuit. Fig. 2 shows the extra resistance C2 clearly, andthe resist-ance c and magnet b' has been lei t oft to more clearly illustrate the principle of the cut out.

Figs. 2 and 3 when combined make the In this casev regulator shown in Fig. l with the omission of the resistance C2. Each of these parts therefore Work to produce their own distinct function and at the same time, one is dependent upon the other in keeping the electric railway as an entirety under perfect regulation, and its werking is in a great measure dependent upon the working of the others.

E are electric lamps, either are or incan descent lights and receive their current from the electric railway line circuit and may be coupled with said circuit either in series as shown in Fig. Il orin multiple arc as in Fig. 5. When in series the lamps E may be arranged in the return circuit C, and arc and incan descent lights may be combined as shown in Fig. 7. It the are lights are arranged in the railway circuit as in Fig. Ll then it would be necessary to provide a shuntcireuit c around the lamp and a regulator to control the shunt, that too great a resistance shall not be interposed in the line circuit. To do this a simple cut out magnet c may be arranged in the line circuit and adapted to aller its armature to fall ii the are should oli-er too great a resistance. In place of this, an electro mag net e2 may be used in the shunt to vary the resistance around the are to compensate for Variations in same; or a simple Brush cutout regulator e3 may be used in which a high resistance helix is always in the shunt, and a low resistance helix is put into circuit to cut ott' the lamp it the are is too great as set out in his patent ot November 16, 1880. These different constructions are shown in Fig. 4. TWhen the lamps are arranged in multiple arc they are placed in shunts E' connecting the positive and negative railway conductors, either the working or supply conductors. In Fig. 6 the incandescent lamps are shown in one of these shunts E', and a variable resistance Ezis also placed in the shunt to vary the resistance proportionally to the abnormal increase in the line current to protect said lamps. This resistance is put in or out by a lever and electro magnet E arranged in a shunt c1 across from the terminals of the working conductors or their supply conductors as shown in Fig. G.

I do not limit myself to any particluar ar rangement of lamps or their circuits provided they are combined with an electric railway adapted to light the roadway and stations and receive their current from the railway by series, derived, or shunt circuits.

G represents a car which receives current from the working conductors. This car is propelled by an electric motor K receiving current from the conductors A B, and its speed is controlled by a resistance hand regulator O in the motor circuit N. E El are electric lamps carried thereby and in shunt relation with the motor and contained in the lamp circuit R. These lamps arein a circuit It and receive current from fthe supply or line conductors through the working conductors, or the working conductors alone when IIO the rails, separate conductors on the surface,r

in a conduit, or suspended, or may be partly the rails and partly separate conductors as for instance when using an overhead conductor as the outgoing and the rails as the return circuit.

I do not limit myself to the mere details as they may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.-

1. In an electric railway the combination of a generator and working conductors, with one ormore electric lamps arranged in one or more branch circuits in shunt connection with the line circuits, and one or more electric lamps arranged in series with the line circuits or working conductors.

2. In an electric railway the combination of a generator, and working conductors, with one or more electric lamps arranged in one or more branch circuits in shunt connection with the line circuits, one or more electric lamps arranged in series, and a number of lamps arranged in multiple arc with the line circuits or working conductors.

3. In an electric railway the combination of the generator and working conductors connecting therewith for'supplying the electromotors, with a branch circuit, electric lamps arranged in said branch circuit, and aresistance changer to vary the resistance in said branch circuit.

et.. In an electric railway the combination of the generator and working conductors connecting therewith for supplying the electromotors, with a branch circuit, electric lamps arranged in said branch circuit, and an antomatic resistance changer to vary the resistance in said branch circuit.

.5. In an electric railway the combination of the generator and working conductors connecting therewith for supplying the electro-- motors, with a branch circuit, electriclam ps arranged in said branch circuit, and an electrically controlled resistance changer controlledl by the change in resistance of the motor line circuit to vary the resistance in said branch circuit and keep the current constant with the varying number of motors in circuit with the line or working conductors and other electrical disturbances therein.

6. The combination of generator D, motor line circuits or working conductors A B, a

`branch circuit E', electric lamps E and a resistance changer E2 therein, a shunt circuit e4 around the generator, and a helix E3 included therein and adapted to actuate the resistance changer.

7. In an electric railway, the combination of a generator, working conductors and connecting circuits constituting the railway circuits, with electric lamps interposed in said railway circuits and receiving electricity from the same source as the motors, 'and electrically v actuated cutout devices to cut out one or more of said lamps without interrupting the railway circuit if they should offer an abnormal resistance to insure the continuity of the electric railway circuit.

8. In anelectric railway the combination of a generator, working conductors and necessary connecting circuits constituting the railway circuits, with electric lamps interposed in said railway circuits and adapted to receive electricity from the same source as the motors, and electrically actuated devices forming shunts around said lamps and adapted to decrease the resistance in the shunts proportionally as the resistance in the lamps increases, to insure a uniform resistance in the motor circuit of the electric railway.

9. In an electric railway the combination of a generator, working conductors and neces- Y sary connectingv circuits constituting the railway circuits, with electric lamps interposed in said railway circuits and adapted to receive electricity from the same source as the motors, and electrically actuated devices forming shunts around said lamps and adapted to decrease the resistance in the shunt proportionally as the resistance in the lamps increases to insure a uniform resistance in the line circuit of the electric` railway, and automatic cut out devices to cut out one or more of the said lamps if they should go out or oder an abnormally great resistance, to preserve the continuity of the motor circuit of the electric railway.

10. The combination of a railway, working conductors extending along the same, a source of electric energy, asupply conductor extending from the source of energy and connected at intervals with one of the working conductors, traveling electrically propelled cars receiving current from said working conductors, and a regulator to vary the current iiowing to the conductors through the supply conductors in accordance with the demand.

v 11. The combination of a railway, Working conductors extending along lsaid railway, an electric generator, traveling electrically propelled kcars receiving current from said conductors and an electric regulator in parallel with the armature of the generator to vary the current flowing to the conductors in accordance witn the demand.

12. The combination of a railway, a working conductor extending along the railway and supplying current to electrically propelled cars thereon, a line conductor extend- IOO ing along the line of the railway and containing electric lamps to light the railway, and a common source of electric supply for the rail- Way conductor and lighting or line conductor.

13. The combination of a railway, a working conductor extending along the railway and supplying current to electrically propelled cars thereon, a line conductor extending along the line et the railway and containing electric lamps to light the railway, a common source of electric supply for the railway conductor and lighting or line conductor, and a regulator to regulate the current owing to each conductor.

14. The combination of a railway, a working conductor extending along the railway and supplying current to electrically propelled cars thereon, a line conductor extending along the line of the railway and eontaining electric lamps to light the railway, a common source ot' electric supply for the railway conductor and lighting or line conductor, and an automatic electric regulator to regulate the current iiowing to each conductor.

15. The combination in an electric railway, 01"; two working conductors and two supply conductors extending along the railway and connected at intervals, two or more iixed electric lamps coupled in parallel and receiving current from the supply conductors, and two or more electric lamps coupled in parallel with the working conductors and movable along the railway without changing their electrical parallel connection with the fixed electric lamps.

16. In an electric railway, the combination of a positive and negative working conductor for supplying current to the motors on the car, a generator, a cut out circuit across the poles of the generator, a circuit controller in said cut out circuit, and an electro magnetic device to operate said circuit controller energized by the current flowing over the working conductors.

17. In an electric railway, the combination of a positive and negative working conductor forsupplying current to the motors on the ear, a generator, a cut out circuit across the poles of the generator, a resistance in said circuit, a circuit controller in said cut out circuit, and an electro magnetic device to operate said circuit controller energized by the current flowing over the working conductors.

18. In an electric railway the combination of a positive and negative working conductor for supplying current to the motors on the ears, a generator having one of its poles connected to one conductor, and its other pole connected with the other conductor through a variable resistance.

19. In an electric railway the combination of positive and negative working conductors for. supplying current to the motors on the ears, a generator having one ot its poles connectedy to one conductor, its other pole connected with the other conductor through a variable resistance, and electro magnetic devices actuated by the current of the generator to automatically vary the resistance in the working conductor ot the railway to suit the demand.

20. In an electric railway, a working conductor extending along the railway for supplying electric current to a traveling car, a fixed source of electric energy, a supply conductor leading from the source of electric energy and connecting with the working conductor at different points in its length, a traveling car, an electric motor upon the car adapted to propel it, an electric circuit on the vcar independent of the electric motor and including' an electric lamp but also receiving current from the working conductor, and a traveling contact carried with the car and making a moving contact with the working conductor for simultaneously supplying current to the electric lamp circuit and electric motor.

2l. In an electric railway a positive and negative conductor extending along the line of the railway, a generator forsupplying elec tricity thereto, electric lamps arranged along the railway to light it receiving their current from the same source as the railway conductors, one or more electric lamps movable along the railway, a traveling circuit including'said movable lamp and malringa moving contact with said railway conductor, an electric motor to move the lamp and circuit, a resistance regulator to control the current in the motor independently of the lamps, and a regulator to regulate the current in the conductors extending along the railway.

22. The combination of a railway, working conductors extending along the same, a source of electric energy, traveling' electrically propelled cars receiving current from said conductors and each independently movable, a regulator on each of the cars to control its movement, electric lamps on the several cars in multiple and receiving current from the working conductors, and an automatic regulater to vary the current flowing to the con ductors in accordance with the demand.

23. In an electric railway, the combination of outgoing and return conductors, a statica ary source of electric supply, supply conductors leading from the source of electric supply and connecting at intervals with said outgoing conductors, a series of electrically propelled vehicles receiving current from said conductors, an independent resistance hand regulater for each of the vehicles ior varying the current flowing through the motors, and electric, lamps in multiple with the motors ofthe vehicles and receiving current from the same source as the motors.

In testimonyof which invention l hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. lzlUN'iElt.

Vitnesses:

Etains" Hon/ARD HUNTER, E. M. BRECKENREID.

lOO

IIO 

